Legendary shoes to fill

Legendary shoes to fill

NEWLY appointed Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club coach Jade Culph is relishing the challenge of stepping into the shoes of long-time mentor Jon Coleman.

Culph took over from the retired Coleman last month and is presently working with about 60 youngsters.

“Yarrawonga came to me towards the end of last year to see if I would come for a look,” the former Margaret Court Cup champion said yesterday.

“I went for a look and gave them some ideas and it went from there.

“They have been really welcoming.”

Culph has been working four days a week with youngsters of all standards aged seven to 17 and said he was excited by the talent on show.

“It’s been good,” he said.

“There are some talented kids down here and they work hard.

“I’m enjoying it.”

Culph, who previously worked for the Margaret Court Tennis Academy, has been one of the premier players in the region for the past decade with success in the Victorian Grasscourt Championship and Riverina Open Championships.

Coleman, 75, spent 35 years as head coach at Yarrawonga with the popular veteran bringing many outstanding youngsters through the ranks, including Pat Nicholls and Sebastian Bell.

He also worked with many adult players and held almost every position imaginable at Yarrawonga, including club captain and senior vice president.